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Have you ever seen a video of your favorite politician doing something crazy? It might be one of the political deepfakes circulating online! These super-realistic AI videos, called deepfakes, are blurring the line between real and phony.
Google’s DeepMind division recently led a first-of-its-kind research into the malicious use of artificial intelligence and found that 27% of harmful AI uses involve deepfakes. The researchers found nearly twice as many cases of deepfake videos, images, and audio compared to text-based AI tools spreading misinformation online, like chatbots pumping out fake news.
“There had been a lot of understandable concern around quite sophisticated cyber attacks facilitated by these tools,” explained Nahema Marchal, the lead author of the study and researcher at Google’s AI unit. “Whereas what we saw were fairly common misuses of GenAI [such as deepfakes that] might go under the radar a little bit more.”
What are AI Deepfakes?
Deepfakes are a type of media where AI is used to create realistic but fake images, videos, or audio. The term “deepfake” comes from “deep learning,” a subset of AI, and “fake,” indicating that the content is not genuine.
Deepfake Robocalls in New Hampshire
Earlier this year, the residents of New Hampshire received a deepfake robocall by “President Joe Biden.” The automated call told Democrats to stay home during the primary and refrain from voting.
Eventually, it was discovered that the call was fake. However, the fact that many people fell for it and thought it was real was a stark reminder that with elections coming up, deepfakes could mess with the democratic process and even swing the vote.
Political Deepfakes of British Prime Minister
In January, a report revealed that over 100 deepfake ads impersonating Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Rishi Sunak were promoted on Facebook. These ads reportedly reached up to 400,000 people, even though they seemed to violate several of Facebook’s policies. The discovery raised concerns about the potential impact of AI on the UK general elections.
Why Are Deepfakes Such a Big Deal?
Here are some of the top reasons why you should be wary of political deepfakes.
They Blur the Truth
Deepfakes are so realistic that most people can’t tell them apart from real videos. According to the Pew Research Center, nearly seven out of ten people say “made-up news and information greatly impacts Americans’ confidence in government institutions.”
They Spread Quickly on Social Media
Fake videos can go viral in hours, reaching millions before anyone realizes they’re fake. By then, the damage is done. Social media platforms act as amplifiers for these misleading deepfake videos, allowing them to spread far and wide in a very short time.
This instantaneous distribution of political deepfakes can significantly influence public opinion before the truth has a chance to catch up.
They Target Specific Groups
Deepfakes can be tailored to deceive certain groups. Imagine a fake video misleading young voters about a candidate’s policies. Sounds scary, right? This targeted approach makes deepfakes even more dangerous as they can exploit the specific biases and concerns of different demographic groups, making the fake content appear more credible and trustworthy.
Read More: How Deepfake is Becoming the Greatest Threat to Social Media Influencers
Addressing a Bigger Problem
Political deepfakes aren’t just limited to election interference. There have been celebrity deepfakes, like that involving award-winning singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, which showed how deepfake technology can mislead the public.
Deepfake political ads are another concerning trend, where AI is used to create misleading campaign content. Other examples of deepfakes in politics include fabricated speeches and altered footage of politicians.
Deepfake technology is rapidly advancing, making it easier for anyone to create convincing fakes. That’s why the Deepfakes Accountability Act and efforts towards regulating deepfakes are crucial.
It is also important to note that AI in politics and AI ads need strict oversight to prevent misuse. Keeping up with AI deepfake news and understanding what AI deepfakes are can help us stay informed and critical of the content we consume online.
The Deepfake Threats and High Stakes
Here are some of the biggest disadvantages of political deepfake videos swarming the Internet.
Loss of Trust
If we can’t tell what’s real, how can we trust anyone? Deepfakes can make us doubt everything, from politicians to news. This erosion of trust can lead to a more cynical and divided society, where people are less likely to believe in the integrity of public institutions and processes.
Increased Conflict
Deepfakes can cause arguments and divisions. A fake video showing a politician making racist remarks could spark social media outrage and real-world tensions. This kind of misinformation can inflame existing social and political divides, leading to increased polarization and conflict.
Election Interference
The worst-case scenario – deepfakes influencing voters and potentially swaying elections. This could undermine the very foundation of democracy, as manipulated media could alter the outcome of elections and the future direction of political policies.
How to Spot Political Deepfakes?
Spotting a deepfake can feel like detective work, but with a little practice, you can become a whiz at sniffing them out.
First, check for unnatural movements or glitches, especially in facial expressions or lip-syncing. If a politician’s smile seems a bit too wide or their words don’t quite match their mouth movements, that could be a red flag.
Next, check out the source. Does the video come from a reputable news outlet or a random social media account? You should also look for suspicious editing or blurry footage, which can be hallmarks of a deepfake.
Finally, don’t rely on emotion alone. If a video makes you furious or ecstatic, take a step back and fact-check it before sharing. By being a critical consumer of online content, you can help make the internet a less fertile ground for political deepfakes to flourish.
What Can We Do About Deepfakes?
Let’s look at what we can do to protect ourselves from deepfakes.
Hold Social Media Giants Accountable
Social media companies need to develop tools to detect and remove deepfakes and hold creators accountable.
A survey showed 75% of people don’t trust social media companies can do enough to fight misinformation. It is important to note that these companies have a significant role to play in curbing the spread of deepfakes. While filtering all content may not be ideal, they can implement algorithms that detect AI-generated content and flag the violators.
Demand Transparency
Laws requiring labels on AI-generated content, especially in political ads, can help. People deserve to know what’s real and what’s not online. The Deepfakes Accountability Act is one such legislative effort aimed at ensuring transparency and accountability in the use of AI-generated content, thereby protecting the public from deceptive practices.
Educate the Public
Everyone should learn to be savvy about online content. Schools and communities can teach people how to spot deepfakes and misinformation. Public education campaigns can also equip individuals with the tools and knowledge to critically evaluate the content they encounter online, making them less susceptible to deception.
On a Final Note
Deepfakes are like a creepy special effect in real life – they mess with what’s true and false online. They can twist public opinion, widen our divides, and even have the potential to swing elections.
So, how do we fight back?
Social media giants need to step up. They should be cleaning up their platforms and building better deepfake-detecting tools. Laws like the Deepfakes Accountability Act can also help by making things more transparent and stopping people from misusing this tech.
As for whether political deepfakes swing the votes, well, we can outsmart these deceptive videos by learning to question what we see online. The key is being an informed voter. The more we educate ourselves and each other on how to spot deepfakes, the less power they have to sway our decisions.
So, don’t let AI trick you at the ballot box! Stay sharp, stay informed, and demand the real deal.
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